City Administrator West Park, FL (population 13,700)

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1 City Administrator West Park, FL (population 13,700) Incorporated in 2005, West Park is Broward County s newest city. Born of the residents desire to control their own destiny, they voted 3,400 to 956 in favor of incorporation. A second factor was the County s desire to cease to provide municipal services. As a result, it spent a considerable amount of money ensuring that the City s infrastructure was in good condition. Prior to 2005 it felt that effort would make the area a viable city or alternatively, attractive to other cities who might wish to annex. Overall, the City covers 2.22 square miles. West Park s location puts it in close proximity to a wide variety of recreational, educational, and employment opportunities and is ideal for the young and old. In fact, over five million people (primarily in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties) live within a 75 mile radius of the City. Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Miami are both within 30 minutes drive. It is also approximately four miles from the Atlantic Ocean and fifteen miles from the Everglades. The hot spots of Fort Lauderdale and South Beach as well as Atlantic Ocean fishing, boating and scuba are thus just a short distance away. Numerous universities including Nova Southeastern, Florida Atlantic, Johnson and Wales and Florida International, not to mention the University of Miami, are also nearby. Cultural activities ranging from the fine arts to those resulting from the region s rich and diverse character also abound. In terms of business opportunities, the City is close to the Florida Turnpike, State Road 7/441 (its western boundary) and U.S. Highway 1. Its proximity to major transportation arteries and two international airports both Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports are less than 30 minutes away make it a location that could be very attractive to new businesses. West Park can be characterized as urban/suburban. While it is predominantly residential, it also has a limited amount of heavy and light industrial as well as some commercial office and retail. With the renovation, widening and beautification of State Road 7/441 nearing completion, new opportunities exist to attract commercial development. In fact, the City has laid the ground work by planning the corridor so that the following can be added: 1,500 residentia l units, a hotel, 600,000 square feet of retail and 500,000 square feet of office. It is the City s hope that its location will make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to open and/or relocate. The City s housing stock is, by and large, solid but not glitzy. Young children go to one of two nearby elementary schools (Watkins with an A rating and Lake Forest with a B rating) while older children attend either McNicol Middle School (B rated) or Hallandale High School (C rated). It also has a very strong catholic school and a new private school. The crime rate is relatively low and it is a close knit community. A significant portion of the community is generational meaning the children and grandchildren of many residents have re mained in the community. Since incorporation, the City has focused on three things: (1) Becoming a cohesive community with name recognition, (2) Building a financially strong and successful local government, and (3) Making West Park an attractive place to live and work. While a great deal has been

2 accomplished (particularly in the financial arena), much more remains to be done and the City Council is eager to find a new City Administrator to help guide the City to the next level.

3 One other notable item is that a reservoir of relatively high quality raw water has recently been discovered only about 120 feet below one of the City s parks. While much remains to be done in terms of determining exactly how much is there and available, it appears the City may well be in a position in the near future to sell raw water to its neighbors. DEMOGRAPHICS At this point, it is difficult to pinpoint the City s precise demographics will be the first census that the City will participate in as a City. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that the City is quite diverse. At this point it is believed that the City is composed of people from the following groups: approximately 50% are African American, 20% White, 20% Hispanic and 10% fall in the Other category. THE GOVERNMENT West Park is governed by a five member Council and all are elected at large. The City Charter was recently amended so that elections will coincide with the national elections in November. As a result, the terms of the elected officials have been slightly elongated but will revert to four years once the transition is complete. The community is active and votes. Residents consider that City to be well run at both the elected and operational levels. As a result, all of the originally elected officials remain in office and have been easily re-elected. In fact, in the last election both the incumbents were unopposed. The City follows the council-manager plan of government both in theory and in practice. The elected officials understand their role as policy makers and to exercise appropriate oversight. They do not meddle in day-to-day operations. Further, they operate collegially and respectfully. The meetings are well run and rarely last more than two hours. A number of activists regularly attend the Council meetings and are also treated with respect. They are provided with the opportunity to make their points but not permitted to dominate the meetings. After incorporation, the City decided that rather than develop an extensive internal governmental infrastructure, it would contract for most of the services cities typically provide. As a result, the Broward County Sheriff s Office provides the police and fire services. New Community Strategies provides the finance function. Broward County provides public works, code enforcement and water and sewer services while private contractors provide planning, building, zoning, solid waste and city clerk services. City staff performs the administration, parks and recreation and contract monitoring functions. The City has no unions. Financially, the City is in very good condition. It has carefully husbanded its resources and has focused on the necessities, not the niceties. The General Fund and Total Budgets are both

4 approximately $12 million. Staffing for the City is approximately 115 if both contract and direct city employees are included. The City s ad valorum tax rate is 7.4 mills. THE ISSUES West Park has a great deal going for it, but it also has some issues. First and foremost, while it has been careful with its money, it does have some upcoming financial challenges. For example, the contract for police and fire services with the Broward County Sheriff s Office is already over 50% of the budget and the costs continue to rise. Secondly, while the City is well prepared for redevelopment, the economic climate is hardly encouraging. The City also does not have a CRA nor any staff dedicated to redevelopment. Instead, it falls largely on the City Administrator s shoulders. Finally, the Council and the community both feel that it is time for the City to build its own City Hall instead of continuing to operate out of very modest facilities in the back of a neighboring city s facilities. At this point, very little preparatory work has been done. A needs assessment must be conducted, a location determined, plans developed and then a facility constructed. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE West Park is looking for someone who is proactive and community-oriented with a can-do attitude, excellent management skills, a strong redevelopment background, top notch people skills and a good command of governmental finance. This job is not for someone who likes to sit behind a desk West Park is also a very lean operation so you will be expected to roll your sleeves up and pitch in. You will also be expected to be active and involved in the community. The individual will be a strong manager who is not afraid to tell the elected officials diplomatically and in an appropriate setting if he/she disagrees with them. Given that third parties provide a relatively large portion of West Park s services, the ideal candidate will be a skilled negotiator and an experienced contract monitor. High quality customer service will be important. She/he will be someone who recognizes what residents and businesses are attempting to achieve and will find legal and appropriate ways to help them reach their goals rather than simply saying, No, the code does not permit that. QUALIFICATIONS Candidates must have a bachelor s degree and it should be in a field relevant to local government management such as public, business or non-profit administration. A master s degree is preferred. A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in public sector management and at least four years as a City or Assistant City Manager is required. High level management experience in other venues will be considered and may be substituted provided the individual demonstrates knowledge of and a prior interest in local government.

5 RESIDENCY The Council does not expect or require the next Administrator to live within the City s boundaries. As one might expect, all other things being equal, it would prefer the Administrator do so. THE LAST ADMINISTRATOR The City s first and only Administrator recently left after four years to accept a higher paying position is a larger, nearby community. He was well respected and not under any pressure to leave. COMPENSATION The starting salary range will depend on qualifications but is expected to be between $90,000 and $130,000. Placement within the range will be based upon the experience, education, and qualifications of the selected candidate. The City provides a comprehensive benefits plan. HOW TO APPLY your resume to Recruit24@cb-asso.com by February 12, Resumes sent by facsimile or U.S. mail will not be considered. Questions should be directed to Colin Baenziger, Colin Baenziger & Associates, (561) SCHEDULE Candidates will be screened between February 13th, 2010 and March 15th. Interviews are anticipated to be held on April 9th and 10th with a selection made on April 12th. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, and veterans to apply. Under the Florida Public Records Act, all applications are subject to disclosure upon receipt and it is likely that the names of candidates will appear in the local newspaper. Veteran s preference will be awarded under applicable Florida law.